Auto crank shaft wrench



Dec. 6, 1932. w, w, MCKEE AUTO 0mm SHAFT WRENCH Filed Aug. 28, 1951 Patented Dec. 6, 1932 WELDON w. MCKEE, F WOOSTER, onIo AUTO CRANK snarrwnnncrr 'i Application filed August as, 1931. Serial 110. 559,952.

My invention relates to improvements in Wrenches, and its principal ob ect is to provide a wrench adapted to use particularly in repairing auto crank shafts and the like, where, for want of suflicient room, it is difficult to operate a wrench of the usual character. I11 adjusting the bearings and, removing the connecting rods and pistons, it is frequently necessary to rotate the auto crank pan and oil lines have been removed. This can only be accomplished by means of a wrench which has gripping means adapted to engage the shaft between journals and without using the motor crank, rotate the shaft in both directions without removing the wrench therefrom. and making repairs and adjustments of the shaft and its bearings without having to get from underneath the car during the operation. A further object of my invention is to afford better means for adjusting and apply ing the gripping means to the position and size of the crank shaft or rod to be manipulated by the wrench.

A still further object is to provide improved means for attaching and manipulating the metal strap employed in its connection with the wrench handle, and for disengaging the strap from its grip and'for renewing the latter when outworn, or when altered conditions require a change thereof.

It consists of the novel elements and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and stated in the appended claim, all of which are illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in

.th'estrap'mustbe loosened so that the handle indicate like parts. I A

which similar letters and figures of reference In the drawingFig. 1 is a side view 0 one embodiment of my invention, illustrating in full and dotted lines the operating mecha nism thereof. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the gripping end of the wrench handle, detached; and Fig. 3 is a like view of extra gripping jaws that may be applied thereto.

end of the metal strap employed to the straptightening lever; and Fig. 5 is'a detail perspective view of one of the pair of clamping fl wedges employedmfor the same purpose. i V

In the drawing the reference letters A, B, and-G, indicate'thewrench'handle, its head, and the metal'strap, respectively, employed in the structure of my invention, andD indicates a U-shaped metal barv attached transversely to the handle to support and control said strap, as hereinafter explained. shaft backward and forward after the oil- To grip and securely hold the free endof l the strap C the rocker eccentric E is pivotally mounted between the ends: of said U-shaped support D onthegpivot e,and adapted to be rocked manually by-the bar. 7 in thedi'rection of thearro'w, whereby the said strap may be drawn down towards thehead B sufficient to bring the latter intoclose proximity to the auto crank shaft, or other'rod to be actuated by thewrench, and be permanently held in such position, when tightened thereon by acetion of the hand leverG as hereafter ex- .plained.

In applying the wrench to the shaft C, the

and turned upwardly, as at C2, untilit encircles the shaft C, and then drawn down upon the wrench head vB, and locked between the eccentric and the adj acentside of'the handle A, by the detachable arm 7, thereby holdingthe head against the shaft-either tightly or in such near proximity theretoas may be desired, toallow free movement of the handle until thestrap is drawntaut upon the shaft by the hand lever G, as hereafter explained.

To rotatethe shaft inone directiononly,

in the opposite direction, the handle being.

suspended on the shaft during such move me t For such purpose,-among others, the opposite end of the strap is firmly, secured to the short" arm of the handlever G, by means'of thestr'ap gripping member F, shown in Fig.

4, which consists of a hollow frame I, having its opposite sides beveled inwardly and adapted to enclose a pair of wedgeshaped gripping jaws J J, having matched lateral furrows j,= a

shown in Fig. 5, between which the strap end is gripped. The gripping jaws are held n position to impinge upon the strap and t1ghten thereon by a spiral, spring K, seated on a floor member L, substantially as shown.

By the means stated, provision is made for readily detaching thestrap, as is sometimes 7 necessary for its renewal or change of size or texture, or otherwlse adapting the wrench to 1o particular conditions in diflerent makes of automobiles and auto shafts; V The clip F is pivotally operableby the hand lever G, which is pivotally mounted between the ends of a U-shapedsu-pp'ort G, firmly atp V l v 15 tached to the handle, and may be temporarily held in anyrequired tension by means of -a ratchet-and pawlP, shown in F-ig. 1 or "equivalent means. The strap extends up wardly thru the-loop d of the support D,

Y whereby the strap is constantlyheld in close relation to the head of the wrench. The psitionland form of the support'D may, of course',be varied to-suitchanged conditions. 9

I In cases where theshaft to be rotated has a polished surface, whichmightbe'injured by of varying thickness.

the jaw teeth of the member H, the latter maybe removed by withdrawal of the set screw S; or the angle of the'jaws may be modifiedtoadapt'the wrench to rotate shafts -Altho the particular object ofmy'wr'ench is for use in therepair and adjustment of auto crank shaftsand bearings, it is apparent that it may also be adapted to rotate rods of a different character in a similarmanner, and I do notwish to limit my'claim to mere matter of form which may be modified within th scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, 1

'- 40 what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Y In a wrench of the character described. the

combination with a handle,'a pair of angular jaws at its head, a support member attached V i 5 to the handle below its head, an eccentric rocker pivotally mounted in said support and an opening thru said support opposite said yeccentric, a thin-flexible strap adapted to-be' 1 Y adjustably and detjachably secured between isaid eccentric and said handle'at oneend, and

a clipxfasteneradapted to engage the-other 1 endthereof,means'includingapair ofwedgeshaped members slidingly operable insaid clip to grip said strap between th m,'and is 55, means, including a hand lever pivotally operableon-said'handle, and engaging said'clip, to control the tension of said strap, substantially as set forth. v V

In witness whereof,I. her'eunto set my hand oathis 26th day "of August,-A; D.-193l-.

LnoN W. MCKEE. 

